STATEMENT FROM THE CP of Ireland: The Communist Party of Ireland views with concern the announcement of the re-forming of an Irish Republican Army; which could have a detrimental effect on the peace process that the majority of Irish people have endorsed. This has nothing positive to offer the present political situation.

In a statement released today, Lynda Walker, National Chairperson of the Communist Party of Ireland said “ the CPI is quite explicit when we say given the current conditions in the North, we once again state that we reject paramilitary violence from whatever quarter it comes. There is a clear need to remove the threat of the gun and bombs from the political scene and to develop class action and political dialogue. Paramilitary violence can only hold back the struggle for democracy and an economic and social policy alternative to the austerity being offered by government North and South of the border

The peace process is an ongoing process that demands critical support and active participation to make the most of the opportunities it provides to oppose sectarianism and create unity of the working class.”

The statement continues:

“There is a renewed interest in republican politics and the search for the way forward against anti-people policies, in the tactics, strategy and the winning of all sections of the Irish working class for a united movement and a united Ireland. If the new IRA succeeds in getting rid of the “Brits” and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in the North how do they intend to win the rest of the people of Ireland North and South ‘for a free and independent Ireland’ and for an anti-imperialist agenda?”

“Any continuing violence by republican paramilitary organisations does not advance the political goals that these various strands of republicanism claim to champion anymore than did the Provisional IRA before them. Their actions gives the British Government continuing cover for the maintenance and use of repressive and undemocratic measures, it fans the flames of sectarianism and narrows the concept of republicanism, rejecting the class basis of the national question. The Communist party of Ireland calls upon those involved to re-consider their action.”